Subscription Economy News: Week of 01/13/2020

Every week, we bring you the top stories and analyses from the global Subscription Economy.

P&G to Buy Subscription-Based Women’s Grooming Brand Billie

Excerpts from an article by Dana E Neuts on Subscription Insider

Starting off the new year strong, Procter & Gamble announced its plans to acquire the subscription-based, direct-to-consumer beauty brand Billie Inc. Billie, who calls itself the “new body brand,” will complement P&G’s growing female grooming product line which also includes Venus, Braun and Joy. The two-year-old, award-winning Billie offers premium personal care products for women including razors, shaving cream, body wash and body lotion. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The company’s co-founders, Georgina Gooley and Jason Bravman, will continue to run the company. The acquisition will help Billie accelerate their growth and provide the resources to develop new products for women.

“We’re thrilled by the prospect of joining P&G to bring high-quality products at affordable prices to women around the world,” said Georgina Gooley, co-founder of Billie, in a January 8 announcement. “Their ability to create global household brands that have stood the test of time is a testament to their brand-building expertise; together, we’ll be able to create an even stronger brand for womankind.”

For more, read the full article on Subscription Insider.

Disney+ already tops 40 million subscribers

Excerpts from an article by Jefferson Graham on USA Today

According to a new report by research firm Sensor Tower, Disney+ has pulled in over 41 million subscribers since then, or roughly 25% of Netflix’s total audience.

Netflix, the streaming leader, started offering streams in a big way in 2013 with the first original, made-for-streaming TV show, “House of Cards.”

Sensor Tower says Disney, which charges $6.99 monthly to subscribe, has already generated $97.2 million since launch.

However, Disney has a long way to go to recoup its investment. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Disney is spending $24 billion to ramp up programming, compared with $10 billion for Netflix, $8.6 billion for Amazon Prime and $1 billion for Apple.

For more, read the full article on USA Today.

New York Times Now Has More Than 5 Million Subscriptions

Excerpts from an article by Rob Daniel on The Street

Get Report reported that in 2019 it added more than 1 million net digital subscriptions and doubled its annual digital revenue a year ahead of schedule.

The parent of the New York Times said that last year digital revenue exceeded $800 million. In 2015, the figure was half that amount and New York Times had determined to double it by year-end 2020, the company said in a statement.

The company launched its digital subscription model in 2011. The 1 million net additions are the most in a single year for the company.

New York Times now has more than 5 million total subscriptions, up more than 16% from 4.3 million a year earlier.

For more, read the full article on The Street.

Digital Air Strike Announces Record 2019 Growth

Excerpts from a press release

Digital Air Strike, the leading automotive consumer engagement technology company, today at CES 2020 announced its largest year for subscription growth with revenue up 32% over prior year 2018. The company is also proud to be named one of Arizona’s 20 biggest software companies by AZ Business Magazine, alongside technology leaders including Go Daddy, OfferPad, Keap (formerly Infusionsoft) and Cerner.

Digital Air Strike’s revenue is derived from subscription-based technology products, including consumer sentiment analysis, social media and reputation management solutions, patented lead response technology, AI-powered intelligent messaging, and targeted advertising technology.

Over the past 12 months, the company has expanded its ad-tech offerings and launched new consumer engagement features that help reduce friction for customers in the car buying process.

For more, read the full press release.

And for more Subscription Economy resources and events, head to www.subscribed.com

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